Editors’ Note: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a slew of benefits, including a massive game library, diverse device support and both PC and console games. Nifty features like the ability to play on smart TVs, phones, tablets and PCs — not just consoles — make this a convenient gaming subscription service for a wide range of people. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs less than the price of a new game each month, yet gives access to hundreds of titles, which is why it earned a CNET Editors’ Choice Award. The original article follows.
New AAA video games used to cost $50 apiece, but it’s not unusual to see a similar game cost $70 now. That price might make you pause before you buy the game, but with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you could play a brand-new game, and others, for a fraction of the price.
Microsoft launched Game Pass in 2017, and since then, the gaming service has grown to be one of the best values for gamers. All Game Pass plans offer member discounts for non-Game Pass titles and other perks, but figuring out which plan is right for you can be difficult.
That choice can be especially tough after Microsoft removed its Game Pass Console plan and replaced it with Game Pass Standard. The company also increased the price of Game Pass Ultimate from $17 to $20 a month.
I’ve covered the service in the past, including future releases and whether Game Pass Ultimate will save you money compared with buying single games. And with all the new titles Microsoft announced would be joining the service as Day 1 releases, like the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages, you might be wondering what the difference is between different Game Pass plans.
Here’s what you need to know about the Game Pass plans so you can decide which one is right for your needs.
Xbox Game Pass tiers
| Game Pass Core | Game Pass PC | Game Pass Standard | Game Pass Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 releases | Nu | Da | Nu | Da |
| PC games | Nu | Da | Nu | Da |
| Online multiplayer | Da | Da | Da | Da |
| EA Play | Nu | Da | Nu | Da |
| Cloud Gaming | Nu | Yes (select games via GeForce Now Ultimate) | Nu | Yes (via Xbox Cloud Gaming and select games via GeForce Now Ultimate) |
| Preț lunar | $10 | $12 | $15 | $20 |
Pricing$10 a month (Console Core) $12 a month (PC)$15 a month (Console Standard)$20 a month (Ultimate – PC and Console)
Game Pass Core is the cheapest Game Pass option at $10 a month. It’s aimed at console gamers who want to play online multiplayer. Here’s what to know about Game Pass Core.
Pros of Game Pass Core
With this plan, you can access over 40 titles, including Doom: Eternal, Fallout 4 and Halo 5. You also get access to online multiplayer with this subscription.
Cons of Game Pass Core
You don’t get as many games with Game Pass Core as other plans on this list. This level of the service rarely adds new titles, and subscribers won’t be able to access Day 1 releases. That means you won’t be able to play the upcoming game Doom: The Dark Ages upon release. And sorry, Star Wars fans, but EA Play’s not included in this plan.
Who should subscribe to Game Pass Core?
If you mostly play online multiplayer games, like Halo or Gears of War, and you only play on console, this is the plan for you. You’re mostly paying for access to play online multiplayer with this plan, but the added discounts and game library — despite its smallish size — are nice perks, too.
PC Game Pass is $12 a month, and it caters to PC gamers who want a large library of games and Day 1 releases. Here’s what to know about PC Game Pass.
Pros of PC Game Pass
This subscription plan gives you access to about 400 Game Pass titles, which is most of the Game Pass library. New games are usually added every month, and you’ll have access to Day 1 releases as well, so you’ll always have something new to play. This plan also includes EA Play, which gives you access to EA games, like the Madden series and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Cons of PC Game Pass
As you might have guessed, you need a PC for this plan so console gamers need not apply. Even if you have a PC, machine requirements might limit which games you can play and how well others run on your PC.
Who should subscribe to PC Game Pass?
People who only play on PC. It may not offer every game in the Game Pass library, but PC Game Pass does bring new games to the service every month, including a host of Day 1 releases coming soon.
Pricing$10 a month (Console Core)$12 a month (PC)$15 a month (Console Standard)$20 a month (Ultimate – PC and Console)
Game Pass Standard is the newest Game Pass plan; it costs $15 a month and replaces the Game Pass Console plan. Here’s what to know about Game Pass Standard.
Pros of Game Pass Standard
The major draw of the Game Pass Standard plan is that it offers subscribers a library of over 300 games, which is about three-quarters of the entire Game Pass library. Subscribers can play games like Mafia: The Definitive Edition, as well as the Halo and Gears of War series. You can also play online multiplayer for Game Pass and non-Game Pass games.
Cons of Game Pass Standard
This plan is for console gamers only, so PC gamers need not subscribe. And while Game Pass Standard has a decent-size library of games, it doesn’t include EA Play or get Day 1 releases. That doesn’t mean those games won’t come to Game Pass Standard eventually. Xbox said previously that those games could arrive on this plan up to a year or more later.
Who should subscribe to Game Pass Standard?
Console gamers who don’t mind waiting a little longer to play some games and don’t need to play on PC or mobile devices. While you might not be able to play major games on Day 1, like the upcoming Gears of War game, you’ll probably be able to play them later. And if you only play on Xbox consoles and don’t need access to PC games or features like cloud gaming, this is the plan for you.
Pricing$10 a month (Console Core)$12 a month (PC)$15 a month (Console Standard)$20 a month (Ultimate – PC and Console)
This is the most expensive plan, and you get a lot for the price tag, including access to games on console and PC. However, the price could be overkill if you primarily play on one platform, so here’s what to know about Game Pass Ultimate.
Pros of Game Pass Ultimate
This is the top-tier Game Pass plan, and it offers top-tier features. You get access to over 500 titles in the game library — including EA Play and Day 1 releases — online multiplayer and Xbox Cloud Gaming Beta so you can play on any compatible device, not just your console or PC. Game Pass Ultimate gives you the most bang for your buck out of these plans.
Cons of Game Pass Ultimate
The price is the major hurdle for Game Pass Ultimate, and the price continues to go up. When Game Pass was introduced in 2017, there was only one plan and it cost $10 a month. Then in 2019, Microsoft unveiled Game Pass Ultimate with a price of $15 a month, and in 2023 the company raised the price for the service to $17 a month. And in July, the company raised the price of Game Pass Ultimate again to a staggering $20 a month. These price increases especially over the last two years — are likely a pain point for some gamers.
Who should subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate?
Most gamers will be satisfied with Game Pass Ultimate, although you probably don’t need it if you only play on PC or if you mostly play free-to-play online multiplayer games, like Fortnite or Overwatch. The price — and its potential to increase — might send people to other plans. If price is an issue, you can always unsubscribe at any time and resubscribe when a game you want to play is added. Otherwise, this is the plan for you.
For more on Xbox, here’s what was announced at Gamescom, some titles available on Game Pass Ultimate right now şi everything to know about that gaming service.
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